Mar 03 2009
I Had My First Panic Attack-
Yesterday as I was opening the mail, and it happened, my first panic attack. The trigger was a benefits paid statement from our health insurance - But there were no paid amounts to be found. All I saw were denials for payments on my recent surgery, to the tune of $22K.
YIKES …
My heart started racing. My face felt warm. And the room started to feel really small.
A panic attack …
Luckily the problem solver in me managed to surface, even through the flood of panic. I found the insurance company’s 1-800 number and called it. The woman on the other end of the line talked me through the problem -
An overzealous claims processor had closed the claim too early - before they had received some necessary paperwork.
Damn, I hate this insurance company!
Don’t get me wrong -
I’m grateful we have any health insurance at all.
But this company aggressively tries not to pay legitimate claims.
They mail paperwork dated 10 days earlier than you receive it, with a-must-return-by-date that is usually the very next day.
It is so nerve racking!
But I know … I know … I’m trying to get back to that place of gratitude. It’s just that dollar amount for one night in the hospital could have CRUSHED our savings account. (And that didn’t even include the surgeon, anesthesiologist, lab techs, etc.) It was so freaking scary!!! It also got me worrying about my oldest son Dillon - Who doesn’t have health insurance right now. (Where he works does not offer health care.) What will he do if something happens to his health??? It scares me … CGI EFFECT CREDIT: CODY
personal finance
Oh my. That’s scary as hell. Both the panic attack and the bill.
I have an award for you over on my blog.
There’s no pressure. If you aren’t into awards or don’t want to continue the chain, please accept the Let’s Be Friends Award in the spirit in which it is offered.
Roxie
Breathe! Breathe! I know how you feel. I’ve been in the same situation at the tune of $65,000. Thank God I had health insurance and the county paid for some of it. I will never do 30 days in a county hospital again.
Congrats on the Let’s Be Friends Award!
For your son, I would see if the county has an insurance plan that he can sign up for. Most cities have an ability to pay plan.
Roxie, Jennifer, Lydia, and cmaher,
Thanks for the calming words and good advice.
It just scared me so much …
Craig and I have overcame so much -
From deaths in the family, divorce in the family, drug addiction, very poor money choices, etc…
And we have been making such good and healthy choices for these last few years …
That I felt like the rug was being pulled out from under me.
Like the old saying goes -
Life happens when we are making plans
Thanks again for stopping by and taking the time to comment …
It’s awesome
dawn
http://iowahippiechick.today.com/
Hi Dawn . . . first of all (((HUGS))) . . . panic attacks are very scary and so is this world we live in . . . take one moment at a time. I know the feeling of taking two steps forward, then three back. Hang in there . . .
I am SO lucky to have insurance again — I was without for about 3 years and I was so afraid that something would happen! Premiums are expensive, but hospital bills are so much worse! It’s odd that sometimes you have to spend money to save money…
~ Rhonda
http://thriftychick.today.com
I amended the awards post and dedicated a song to you
Wow! That would definitely be a panic inducing moment. It’s a good thing you have insurance, but they really don’t seem to be customer oriented at all. I hope you don’t have any more moments like that.
I can’t stand the tricks that the insurance companies use in an effort to avoid paying. Glad that it was all taken care of for you.